STATESBORO — Georgia Southern University will become 100 percent tobacco-free on Friday, GSU President Dr. Brooks Keel recently announced.

The move to prohibit tobacco use across campus comes after a March 2014 vote by the Board of Regents to ban the use of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented or in the possession of the University System of Georgia.

“Beginning Aug. 1, the use of tobacco is prohibited in any area of campus,” Keel said in an email to faculty and staff. “This includes all indoor and outdoor areas that are owned and leased by the university, including but limited to, all buildings and facilities, outdoor areas, stadiums, parking lots and vehicles on campus.”

The initiative applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors and their subcontractors and employees, spectators and visitors. It also includes any satellite campuses and all events hosted by the university.

“We all know that change is not always easy, but the USG policy change reinforces our commitment to preserving and improving the health and comfort of our students, faculty, staff and guests,” Keel said. “The commitment to a tobacco-free campus is a responsibility we all share together, whether you are a tobacco user or not.”

The university will remove all ash urns and replace them with signs displaying the universal no-smoking sign.

It also will provide cessation classes and other information to individuals who wish to quit using tobacco products.

For more information, go to www.georgiasouthern.edu/tobaccofree.